The life sciences company indicated that the European Patent Office had granted a patent titled: “Diagnosing Fetal Chromosomal Aneuploidy Using Genomic Sequencing,” on Jan. 1. Sequenom noted that the patent covered a process for identifying “fetal aneuploidy using sequencing.”

Sequenom noted that the patent represented “an important part” of the prenatal diagnostic patent portfolio held by Sequenom. The patent, which gives Sequenom exclusive rights to the process is valid throughout the European Union. The patent marked the first time Sequemon had applied for a patent through the European Patent Office.

SQNM stock tumbled more than 70% between July and November, but Sequemon shares have since regained some lost ground.